Invaders of Personal Spaces

The inhabitants of Mary Lou's Zoo are not feelin' the luv this week. It's been less than harmonious. Invaders of Personal Spaces, which includes the air space involved in the dreaded Stare, have been the most flagrant violations of Family Bliss. Insert childhood memory:   Hey! Stop lookin' at me!  Maaaaahhhhhhhmmmm!  He's lookin' at me!  Make him stop!  Maaahhhhhmmm!

I believe relationships are strongest when you partake of interests common to all,  as well as embracing individual hobbies independent of each other.  Everyone needs their own space. So, when Moggy did not join his Brother and me in the bathroom this morning, I thought this was a good thing.

Naivety, thou beest my name. 

In recent weeks Moggy has indeed taken up a new solitary hobby--that of interior decorating. And he's quite fast. In the time it took me to brush my teeth and wash my face, he once again drug the pet bed across the room, and placed it alongside the foot of my recliner, tossed a couple of Bandits toys inside, and flipped the cat rocker on it's head--turning it into a Cat Cave.  Upon seeing said Cat Cave, I, being a sixties theme song junkie, immediately broke into song, "Nana, nana, nana, nana. Nana, nana,  nana, nana. Cat! Cave!" You're welcome for the uninvited ear worm. Blame Moggy each time you humm it.

When I left for work this morning, I recited my normal litany of:

Be sweet to your Brother while Mommy's at work. 
Stay out of the trash.  
No peeing in the house. 
I'll be home soon. 
I love you!

This morning, since the Snippy Snappy Attitudes were in major overdrive I added:
No bloodshed or killing! And then, because I want the last words they ever hear from my mouth to be, "I love you." I threw in a second I love you! I'm trying to say this to my friends and family as well. I tend to take The Next Interaction for granted. However, we are not given any assurance there will be another interaction.  I don't want to have guilt or regret if it turns out to be The Last Time We Spoke.  Therefore, I'm trying to end all my exchanges happy. Sometimes it's hard. But, it remains my goal.

When I arrived home after work tonight a semblance of peace had been restored in The Zoo.  Somewhat. Oh, I'm still stepping on cats, dogs, and assorted toys. And stumbling over rearranged furniture. And there are still angry voices raised when air space has perceived to have been invaded. But there has not been a Bloody Battle. At least not yet.

Alas, Mr. Rocky the Squirrel has not fared well I'm afraid. His crinkle-guts are being disembowled even yet now. It would seem frustrations continue to run a tad high.